Mining apparatus



Feb. 12 1924. 1,483,549

E. C. MORGAN MINING APPARATUS Filed March 27 1916 9 SheetsSheet 1 Feb, 12 1924..

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E. c. MORGAN MINING APPARA'IUS Filed March 27 1916 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 dds? E. C. MORGAN MINING APPARATUS Feb. 12 1924.

Filed March 27 1916 9 Sheets-Sheet 5' & 27/4 Feb. 12 1924,

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Feb. 12 1924.

E. C. MORGAN MINING APPARATUS 9 sheets-sheet 8 Filed March 2'? Web 757 n W 5% 1/ Md a AW Fatented Feb. 12, 192%.

EDMUND C. MORGAN,

MINING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 27, 1916. Serial No. 86,837.

To all wlwm it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND a citizen of the United States, residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for mining coal and similar material, and has for its object the provision of apparatus of this character which shall be more economical and efiicient in construction and operation.

The invention is exemplified in the combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification, and it is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a mine chamber showing somewhat diagrammatically the apparatus forming the present invention in operating position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. '1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a mining machine forming a part of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the machine shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of deflector used in connection with the machine shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the side of the machine opposite that shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a section substantially on line 7-.7 of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section substantially on line 9 9 of Fig. 4, but with the parts in the rear of the section plane omitted.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view with part broken away of a conveyor forming a part of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the conveyor shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a detail of the conveyor shown in Figs. 11 and 19..

C. MORGAN,

14 is a section on line 14-14 of Fig. 9.

ig. 15 is an elevation of a ram forming a part of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is-a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a modified form of mining machine; and,

Fig. 18 is an elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 17.

The apparatus constituting the present invention is especially adapted for use in connection with the system of mining indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. In the operation of this method of mining, entries 0. and b are driven through a vein of material 0, tending for long distances in the mine. The entries at and b are spaced apart a considerable distance so that a large pillar of material 0 is left between each pair of entries. A conveyor d is placed at one of the entries (1 or b for carrying away the material as it is mined. This conveyor may be made of a length to reach to the mine shaft, or it may be made to discharge into a car mounted on a track. A second conveyor e is placed at right angles to the conveyor (1 in position to discharge into thatconveyor. The conveyor e is placed adjacent the wall of the pillar 0 which is being worked and is supported on horizontally extending arms or ase plates f of a series of mine props g. The roof of the mine chamber above the conveyor e is supported by a sliding arm h. (Figs. 7 and 8) on the head 2' of the prop g. The sliding arm h is supported on tapered ribs j forming a fulcrum near the center of the arm to ermit the arm to automatically adjust itsel to unevenness in the roof of the mine. A downwardly extending hook is is carried at therear'of the arm h to prevent the arm from being slid too far forwardly and to hold it from tipping downwardly at its forward end. The prop g is provided with a screw threaded standard m for adjusting the head of the prop against the roof of the mine. The mining machine M (Figs. 1 and 2) is drawn along the face of the vein 0 and severs a section of material therefrom, in a manner to be described, for each passage of the machine-to the right,

the entries exas viewed in these figures along the face of the vein. As the material is severed from the vein it is discharged onto the conveyor e and from thence to the conveyor 0! which carries it away from the mining position. The mining machine M is moved along the face of the vein by cables 72 and 9 attached to stakes r located at opposite ends of the movement of the machine. The conveyor e is drawn forwardly after each cut) made by the mining machine b means of cables .9 and t having their en 5 secured at any desired position in the entries a and 5.

In my 00- ending application, Serial No. 587,555, file September 11, 1922, for an improvement in systems of mining, as a division of Serial No. 415,276, originally filed January 14, 1916, I have described and claimed the system of mining comprising a series of roof supports, such as those illustrated at g in Fig. 2 having extended arms, Such as those illustrated in Fig. 7 for supporting an endless conveyor in position to receive material dislodged by a mining machine 0 erating along a mine wall extendin paralle to the series of roof props an parallel to the conveyors.

The construction of the conveyor will best be understoodby reference to Figs. 8, 11, 12 and 13. The conveyor comprises a. trough 21, provided with a. conveyor bed 22, over which an endless conveyor 23 travels. The trough 21 is made in sections secured together b fish plates 24, as shown in Fig. 13, in or er that the conveyor may be taken apart to assist in placing-it in position in the mine chamber- At the discharging end of the conveyor, the trough 21 is inclined upwardly, as shown in Fig. 12, and is provided with a sprocket wheel 25 for driving the endless conveyor. The sprocket wheel 25 is rotated by means of a chain 26 driven by a motor 27 mounted on a base plate 28 forming a continuation of the horizontal portion of the conveyor trough. The motor 27 is geared to sprocket chain 26, geared to a shaft 30 and said shaft 29 is having a pair of drums 31 and 32 mounted thereon. The drums 31 and 32 are controlled by clutches 33 and 34 respectively provided with operating handles 35 and 36. The drum 32 has the cable 25 wound thereon, and the drum 31 has the cable a wound upon it. The cable t passes over a. pulley 37 which directs it into the entry a. The cable 8 passes over suitable leaders 38 and 39 to the pulley 40 secured to the conveyor e at the end opposite the end on which is located the motor 27. It will be apparent that the motor end of the conveyor Will be drawn forwardly by the cable If when the drum 32 is operated to wind in the cable. The opposite end of the conveyoris moved forwardly by operation of the drum 31.

a shaft 29 which drives the b The mining machine proper is provided with a frame having a base plate 41 which rests upon the floor of the mine chamber, as shown in'Fig. 7, and which carries the other portions of the minin' machine. Mounted on top of the base plate 41 is a. deflector or guide for the severed material having a forward deflector late 42 and a rear deflector plate 43. The outwardly turned portions of these plates, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, are connected at the lower edges by a slightly inwardly inclined base plate 44. The plates 42,43 and 44 constitute a trough or guideway for directing the severed material laterally onto the conveyor 23, as indicated in the figures referred to. s the machine is drawn forwardly or to the right in Fig. 2, material constantly enters the forward end of this guideway pushing the material already on the guideway outwardly through the opening at the side of the guideway above the conveyor 23.

The material is severed. from the mine wall by a plurality of chain cutters arranged to sever a continuous section from the vein as the machine is moved along the face thereof. The cutters for forming the severing kerfs at the to and bottom of the section extend inwar ly in a horizontal direction from the face of the vein at or near the top and bottom of the vein, as indicated in Figs. 7, 9 and 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the ide plate 42 is provided at its forward ddge with an upright ofi'set slide bar 45 which has rigidl secured thereto a second slide bar 46. he two bars 45 and 46 constitute a slideway on which is mounted a slide block 47 having a horizontally extending arm 48 secured thereto, (Fig. 9). A similar block 49 is mounted for sliding movement between the bars 45 and 46 at the lower end thereof and carries a horizontally extending arm 50. The slide block 47 has secured thereto a threaded rod .51 meshing with a threaded sleeve 52 carried y brackets 53 and 54 spanning the space between the two slide bars 45 and 46, (see also Fig. 14). The sleeve 52 is provided with a worm wheel 55 operated by a worm 56 and a hand wheel 57. By this construction the slide block 47 and arm 48 may be adjusted vertically along the slide bars 45 and 46. In a similar manner the lower slide block 49 is provided with a rod 58 co-operating with a worm wheel 59 by means of which the arm 50 may be given a vertical adjustment. The arm 48' is provided with an extension member 60 at the outer end thereof, shown best in Figs. 4 and 9. The extension member 60 has bifurcations 61 slidably mounted on the end of the arm 48, and a threaded rod 62 is arranged to adjust the member 60 relative to the arm 48. A chain guide 63 extends along the sides of the arm 48 and around the end of the extension member 60, and a cutter chain 64 is mounted for sliding movement along the guideway 63. The cutter chain is driven by a sprocket wheel 65 secured to the upper end of a drive-shaft 66. The sprocket wheel 65, as shown in. Fig. 9, is mounted for rotation in a bearing 67 carried on the slide block 47. The lower end of the shaft 66 has a squared portion 68 fitting a similarly shaped opening in a sleeve 69 mounted for rotation in a. bearing 70 carried by the brackets 54 and 71. It will be clear that the shaft 66 is free to move up and down when the slide block 47 is ad justed in the slideways 45 and 46 without disturbing the driving connection between the shaft and the sleeve 69. The sleeve 69 is provided with a worm Wheel 72 meshing with a worm 73 mounted on a shaft 74. The lower end of the sleeve 69 engages thle squared portion 75 of a shaft 76 which carries a sprocket wheel 77 at its lower end. The sprocket wheel 77 drives a cutter chain 78 which travels on the arm 50 in a manner similar to that of the chain 64 on the arm 48. The arm 50 also carries an extension 79 at its outer end provided with an adjusting screw 80. The shaft 74 is driven by a motor 81 mounted on a shelf 82 secured to the guard plate 42, as shown in Fig. 3.

Guard flanges 83 and 84 are arranged to protect the cutter chains as they pass around the sprocket wheels 65 and 77 respectively. An upright plate 85 is positioned in front of the mechanism just described and is provided with an opening 86 through which the cable q passes, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 10. The inner end of the cable q is wound upon a drum 87 driven through gearing 88 by a motor 89 mounted on the plate 90 secured to the base plate 41 and formed integral with the guard plate 42, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be seen that when the motor 89 is operated to wind the cable q on the drum 87. the machine will be moved in a forward direction. It should be noted also, as shown in Fig. 4. that the operating motor 81 and the associated mechanism and also the motor 89 are protected by the guard plate 42 from the material passing from its severed position to the conveyor.

Secured to the lower edge of the rear guard plate 43 and extending laterally and inwardly therefrom. is a platform 91 which may be formed integral with the guard plate 43 and which rests upon the base plate 41, as shown in Fig. 6. This plat form. is provided with a motor base 92 which carries motors 93 and 94. Secured to the forward portion of the platform 91 and guard plate 43 is a supporting frame 95, (Figs. 6 and 7). This supporting frame 95 is offset, as shown in Fig. 7, to bring the outer surface substantially in a plane with the edge of the base" plate 41.

This offset portion is provided with a chain guide 96 along which a cutter chain 97 is 103 is secured to the frame by screws 105' and is'supported by a block 106 also fastened to the frame by screws 107. The leg 104 is held in place by the plate 101 and is provided with an adjustable plate 108 which rests upon the upper end of the plate 101. The sup-porting block may be held in position beneath the end of the leg 104- by means of screws 109. The yoke 102 may be adjusted vertically by the threaded rods 110 and secured in adjusted position by the blocks 106 and 108 and the co-operating screws. The yoke 102 is provided with a chain guide 111 extending around its forward and upper edges. In this way an adjustable upright frame is provided for sup-porting the cutter chain 97 in position to form a kerf in the material to be mined in a plane ofi'set inwardly from the face of the mine vein. The forward portion 112 of the plate 43 is carried within the loop formed by the chain 97 andhas its forward edge 113 positioned in the cutting plane of the chain. By this arrangement the deflector plate 43 is enabled to slide in behind the section of material severed by the cutter chain and to force the material outwardly away from the mine wall and thus provide clearance space for the motors 93 and 94. The cutter chains 64, 78 and 97 are positioned to form a core-cutter, as shown in Fig. 10, so that as'the machine is fed forwardly by the winding of the cable 9 on the drum 87, the chains form a closed cut in the mine wall surrounding a body of material and extending continuously along the wall in the direction of movement of the machine. In this way a continuous core section is completely severed from the mine wall and forced outwardly away from the wall onto the conveyor arranged adjacent the path of movement of the machine. The cutter chain 97 is driven by a sprocket wheel 11.5 (Fig. 6) carried on a shaft 116 mounted in bearings 117 (Fig. 4) on a pedestal 118 supported on the motor base 92. The shaft 116 is driven by a worm gear connection from the motor 93. The motor 94 is connected by spur gears with the drum 120 on which the cable p is wound for drawing the machine backwardly into a position to begin a new out after each cut is completed.

As will be seen from Fig. 4 of the drawing, the forward runs of the cutter chains are positioned substantially in the same plane at the front end of the mining machine. This arrangement of the cutting portions of the cutter chains is important ecause of the fact that it completely severs the core of material that is being disconnected from the mine wall, on all sides of the core at the point where the core be gins to enter the machine. The only point of attachment between the core and the wall that is not broken is at the front end of the core. As the machine moves forwardly, the portion of material being disconnected pro- Jects through the loop formed by the cutters until it contacts with the deflector plate 43, which forces the material to one side and breaks it from its connection with the mine wall at its forward end. Because of the fact that the cutting is done at the very front portion of the machine, the leverage given the deflector plate 43 is greater than would be the case if the cutters were set farther back on the machine frame. This permits the machine to be made comparatiyiely short as it is not necessary to prov1 e supply the necessary leverage for breaking the coal from its connection with the mine wall. It should be noted that not only the upper and lower cutters operate at the front portion of the machine, but all three of the cutters have their severing portions located in substantially the same plane at the front of the machine.

In order that the entry at the side of the portion of the vein being worked from which the successive cuts are started may be free to receive the machine in position to start a cut, the conveyor which carries the material toward the mine shaft must be positioned in the ent toward which the machine moves in making the cuts. It follows from this that the conveyor section E must be driven in the same direction in which the mining machine is moved and must be positioned far enough away from the face of the vein to carry the material past the mechanism for driving the-horizontal cutters and yet leave space for this mechanism between the conveyor and the face of the vein. In order that the conve or may be thus spaced away from the ace of the vein, the deflector is made to extend a sufiicient distance laterally, not only to carry the severed material out of its native position, but to move it past the rear of the driving mechanism and discharge it on the conveyor at a point beyond the outermost portion of the cutting mechanism.

As shown in Fig. .5, the deflector plate 43 instead of being curved away from the vertical, as shown in Fi 4, may stand straight up and down an be curved in a horizontal direction onl The plate also may be pivoted, asindicated at 121, and

extra length in the machine frame tomesses provided with a pitman 122 for reciprocatmg the plate to assist in the movement of the material toward the conveyor. In the form shown in Fig. 5, the pitman 122 is operated by a'crank 123 carried by a worm gear 124 driven by a shaft 125. The shaft 125 may be operated in any suitable manner, as by connection with the motor 93.

As the machine is being moved to sever a section of material from the mine wall, the severed section or core passes through the space bounded by the cutters and forces the material already severed .against the deflector plate 43 which breaks the material and forces it outwardly onto the conveyor. When the machine reaches the end of a out however, there is no longer any pressure on the severed material to force it from the machine onto the conveyor. The material may be carried backwardly with the machine however, and when the machine is positioned to begin a new cut, the material thus brought back will be forced from the machine as the new cut is begun. To prevent the material falling from the forward end of the machine during this backward movement, a hinged door 126, (Figs. 3, 4 and 10), 1s ivoted at 127 to the plate at the forward end of the machine. As shown in Fig. 10, this door may be swung into position to close the core space formed by the cutters 64,- 78 and 97. A latch 128 is provided for holding the door in closed position, and when thus closed, the machine may be moved backwardly without danger of the severed material falling from the front end of the machine. It will be seen that during this backward movement, a portion of the severed material will rest upon the cutter arm 50, and n order to prevent this arm from dragging on the ground, it may be adjusted upwardly by means of the threaded rod 58.

In order to avoid the necessity of carrying the material remaining on the machine at the end of a cut backwardly with the machine to its new position, a ram may be provided, as shown in Figs. 2, 15 an 16, for forcing the material from the machine after the completion of each cut. This ram, as shown in Fig. 15, is provided with a horizontally movable rack 140, driven by a pinion 141, operated by a motor 142, through gearing 143. The ram is mounted on a base plate 144, preferably made integral with or rigidly attached to the base plate 28 of the conveyor mechanism, so that the ram and conveyor may all be moved forwardly by the same operation after the completion of each out. A threaded rod 145 is carried in a standard 146 on the upper ortion of the ram support, and is provide with a hand wheel 147 for forcing the upper end of the rod 145 into contact with the roof of the mine for holding the ram in position. The

forward end of the rack 140 carries a head 148 for contacting with the severed material to force the material through the core formed by the chain cutters and from the mining machine onto the conveyor.

In the form of the mining machine shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the base plate 41 is omitted and the platform plates 90 and 91 are permitted to rest directly upon the floor of,

the mine. This construction leaves a-space 150 just back of the cutter arms 48 and 50 vacant, so that the coal as it is severed passes through the core space formed by the cutter chains, and when it becomes detached is permitted to rest directly upon the floor of the mine chamber. As the machine is moved forwardly however, the deflector plate 43 forces the coal over the base plate 41 onto the conveyor in a manner slmilar to that of the operation of the machine previously' described. In other respects the machine shown in Figs. 17 and 18, is similar to that of the other form.

1. Ina system of mining, the combination with a mining machine frame, of kerf-cutting mechanism mountedthereon, means for operating said kerf cut-tlng mechan1sm 1ncl-uding rectilinear movement of said mining machine frame to effectthe feeding of said cutting mechanism along a mine wall, an elongated conveyor comprising a conveyor frame, an endless conveyer-extendinglongitudinally thereof to occup a position adjacent the path of travel 0 said mining machine frame and substantially parallel to such path of travel in position to receive material from the mining machine throughout the feeding path of travel thereof, and upright curved deflecting means on said mining machine frame for directing the dislodged material from said mining machine onto said endless conveyer as said mining machine travels along the side of said conveyer.

2. In a system of mining, the combination with a mining machine frame, of kerf cuttin mechanism extending in advance of said frame relatively to the feeding path of travel thereof in position to cut spaced-apart horizontal kerfs and an upright connecting kerf spaced back from the face of the mine Wall, each of said kerfs being in advance of said frame, means for operating said kerf cutting mechanism including rectilinear feed of said frame along the face of a mine wall to cut a column of material extending onto said frame, a conveyer-having a stationary frame occupying a position adjacent the path of travel of said miningmachine frame, said conveyer also comprisingan endless conveyer on said conveyer frame in position to travel parallel to the path of travel of said mining machine frame, and means -onsaid mining machine frame for demechanism mounted thereon for cutting a single column of material from an upright face of a mine wall to project from said \kerf-cuttlng mechanlsm onto said frame,

means for operating said kerf-cutting mechanism includin rectilinear feed of 'said frame, a de ector mounted on said frame for directing the cut material from said frame, and a conveyor extending along the path of travel ofisaid frame for continuously receivin deflector the dislodge material during the operation of said kerf-cutting mechanism.

4. In a system of mining, the combination with a supporting frame, of two spacedapart kerf-cutters mounted on said frame in position to cut substantially horizontal spaced-apart kerfs, said kerf-cutters being also mounted on said frame to have an unobstructed space between them for the passage of the cut material onto said frame, an additional kerf-cutter mounted on said frame to cut. an upright kerf spaced back from the face of the mine Wall and connecting the inner ends of the horizontal kerfs to complete the cutting of a single column of directly from said material extending through said unobstructedspace onto said frame, means for operating said kerf-cutters including bodily rectilinear movement of said frame to secure feeding movement of said kerf-cutters, a conveyor mounted adjacent the path of travel of said frame, and means for transferring the cut material automatically from its native position along said frame directly onto said conveyor. 7

5. In a system of mining, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pluralit of kerf-cutters mounted on said frame to orm a loop having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, means for operating said outters to cut a single core of material extending through such lmobstructed core-opening, a conveyer adjacent the path of travel of said frame, and a deflector mounted on said-frame for transferring the cut material directly onto said conveyer.

6. In a system of mining, the combination with a plurality of endless chain kerf-cutters, of a frame for supporting said kerf-cutters to form a closed loop having an unobstructed core-opening therethrough, means for operating said kerf-cutters including rectilinear feed thereof by bodily rectilinear movement of said frame, a conveyer mounted adjacent the path of travel of said frame and substantially parallel to the face of the mine wall at a distance therefrom approximately equal to the Width of said frame, and mechanism on said frame for engaging the cut ma-v terial and breaking it and transferring it directly from said frame onto said conveyer.

7. In a system of mining, the combinat on with a supporting frame, of core-cutting mechanism mounted on said frame, means for operating said core-cutting mechanism including the feed thereof b rectilinear movement of said frame along t e mine wall, a conveyer, means for positioning said conveyer adjacent thepath of feeding movement of said frame, and means for directing the out material from said core-cutting mechanism over said frame onto said conveyer.

8. In a mining machine, the combination with core-cutting mechanism comprising means for cutting a kerf in a substantially horizontal plane at the floor of a mine chamber, and means for cutting a kerf in a substantially horizontal plane at the roof of such mine chamber, of means for independently adjusting the floor kerf-cutting means and the roof kerf-cutting means to vary the elevation of either the floor kerf or the roof kerf independently of; the elevation of the other, and means for operating said corecutting mechanism including the feed thereof.

9. In a mining machine, the combination with a plurality of plane kerfcutters each comprising a traveling chain cutter, of means for supporting two of said plane kerfcutters in spaced-apart position with an un obstructed core space between them, and means for supporting a third plane kerfcutter in a plane extending transversely of the planes of said spaced-apart kerf-cutters and in a plane spaced-back from the face of the mine wall and approximately parallel thereto.

10. In a mining machine, the .combination with a supporting frame, of spaced-apart plane kerf cutters mounted on the forward portion of said supporting frame to extend transversely thereof, relative to the path of travel of said supporting frame, each of said kerf cutters comprising a traveling cutter chain, means for driving said cutter chains, and means for propelling said supporting frame to effect feeding movement of said plane kerf cutters in a direction extending transversely of the kerf cutters and longitudinally of said frame to cut material to extend onto said frame.

11. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of cone-cutting mechanism carried by the forward portion of said frame and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart elongated chain kerf-cutters extending transversely of the path of travel of said supporting frame, and means for o crating said core-cutting mechanism inclu ing bodily feeding movement of said frame and said chain kerf-cutters along the face of a mine vein in a direction transversely of said chain kerf-cutters.

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a sup orting frame, of a chute carried b said rame, mechanism mounted on said rame for cutting a single core of material to extend along said chute, and means for operating said cutting mechanism including rectilinear movement of said frame along the mine wall to effect feedin movement of said cutting mechanism an the movement of said chute along under the single core of material cut.

13. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright plane kerf-cutter extending along the inner side of said frame to the forward portion thereof, a plurality of spaced-apart elongated kerf-cutters extending from the outer side of said frame to the inner side thereof at the forward portion of said frame to form with said first-named kerf-cutter a loop for making a substantially continuous kerf in the material to be mined, the space between said elongated cutters being free and unobstructed for the passage of cut material between them, and means for moving said supporting frame to ether with said kerf-cutters to form a loop-s iaped kerf in a mine wall extending continuously therealong 14. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of spaced-apart chain kerf-cutters, means for holding said pair of cutters in position to extend across the forward portion of said frame, a third chain kerf-cutter, means for supporting said third cutter in position to form an upright kerf substantially connecting the inner ends of the kerfs' formed by said first-mentioned cutters, means for actuating said kerf-cutters, and means for propelling said frame to effect bodily feeding movement of said kerf-cutters during the actuation thereof to cut a column of material along the mine wall extending through the free and unobstructed space between said pair of kerf-cutters and in front of the upright connecting kerf-cutter.

15. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a chain kerf-cutter mounted on said frame and extending along the inner side thereof in position to cut an upright kerf in a mine wall at the forward inner side of said frame, means for actuating said chain kerf-cutter, means for propelling said supporting frame along the mine wall to secure bodily feeding movement of said kerf-cutter during the actuation thereof, and a deflector extending from the forward portion of said frame adjacent said kerf-cutter to the outer side of said frame at the rear portion thereof for directing cut material along said frame and off the same.

16. In a mining machine, the combination with an elongated supporting frame, of an upright chain kerf-cutter mounted at the inner side of said frame and extending to the forward end of said frame, means mounted on the inner side and rear portion of said frame for operating said uprightchain kerfcutter including the feed thereof by rectilinear movement of said frame parallel to its length to form a kerf substantially parallel to the face of the mine wall and ofiset inwardly from said face, and means for directing the cut material from the forward portion of said cutter along said frame in front of the said operating means to the outer sideof said frame.

17. In a mining machlne, the combination with a supportlng frame having a forward endrelative to its feeding path of travel, of an'elongated chain kerf cutter mounted on said frame and in its entirety extending transversely across such forward end of said frame, a curved deflector chute extending rearwardly from said forward end and means mounted on the forward outer portion of said frame for driving said kerf cutter and for feeding the same by movement of said frame along the mine wall wish the entire kerf cutter at such forward en 18. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an elongated chain kerf cuter comprising an elongated cutter bar extending across the forward end of said frame with the cutter chain in its entirety also at such forward end in position-to cut an under kerf substantially at the level of the mine floor, means mounted at the forward outer portion of said framefor operating said undercutter, including I feeding movement thereof while said undercutter as a whole remains in such transverse position at the forward end of said frame, and a chute comprising upright spacedapart curved walls extending rearwardly from said cutter.

19. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright chain kerf-cutter mounted on said frame and extending along the inner side thereof to the forward end of said frame, a plurality of spaced-apart elongated chain kerf-cutters mounted at the forward portion of said frame and extending transversely thereof to said upright kerf-cutter, means for actuating said kerf-cutters, and means for moving said frame along a mine wall to effect bodily feeding movement of said cutters during the actuation thereof to cut a kerf spacedback from the face of the minewall and substantially parallel thereto, and a plurality of horizontal spaced-apart kerfs connecting the upright kerf.

20. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame adapted to slide along the floor of a mine chamber adjacent an upright mine wall and comprising a plat- "form having a forward scooping edge, of

core-cutting mechanism mounted adjacent said scooping edge,means for actuating said core-cutting mechanism, andmeans for sliding said frame along the floor during the actuation of said core-cutting mechanism to cause the said edge to scoop the cut material. 21. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a chain kerfcutter mounted on the inner side of said frame to cut a kerf along a mine wall substantially from the floor to the'roof thereof and in a plane substantially parallel with \the face of the mine wall, spaced-apart elongated chain kerf-cutters at the forward portion of said frame one for. cutting kerfs substantially at the floor of the mine cham ber and the other for cutting a kerf substantially at the roof of the mine chamber, said kerfs connecting with the upright kerf, means for actuating said kerf-cutters, and means for moving said frame along the mine wall to secure rectilinear feeding movement of said kerf-cutters during the actuation thereof. I

22. In combination, a mining machine having a relatively'thin base plate, a cutter in position to form a kerf in a mine wall into which kerfsaid base plate is moved, an upright cutter supported at the inner edge of said base plate for forming a kerf along a plane spaced inwardly from the face of said mine wall, and a third cutter mounted to cut a kerf extending to the upper edge of the upright cutter and spaced above the firstnamed cutter to leave the space above the latter free and unobstructed over the entire height of the upright cutter.

23. In combination, a mining machine having a base plate, a cutter arranged to form a kerf extending inwardly from the face of a mine wall into which kerf said base plate may be moved, a second cutter carried by said base plate at the inner edge thereof for forming a kerf in a plane offset inwardly from the face of said mine wall to sever a section of material from said wall, and a third cutter for disconnecting the material so severed at the upper portion thereof, the space bounded by said three cutters being free and unobstructed.

24:. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame having a base plate provided with a receiving lip at the floor of the mine chamber, of an elongated chain kerf-cutter located in advance of the said receiving lip and approximately in a plane I till obstructed for the assage of cut material over substantially tie entire height of the kerf cut by the inner kerf-cutter, and spaced apart upright walls on said base frame extending rearwardly from the ends of said receiving lip. 25. In combination, a mining machine having a base plate, a cutter for forming a kerf in which said plate may be moved, a second cutter ositioned at the inner edge of said late or forming a kerf effect inwardly rom the face of the mine wall, and an upright curved deflecting plate mounted on said base plate and extending diagonally across the latter from the inner forward edge to the rear outer edge to not only wedge the cut material from the unmined mass but also deflect it from the mine wall a distance equal approximately to the width of said base plate.

26. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a chute having a forward reoeivin edge. at the floor of the mine chamber with a space above said chute free and unobstructed up to the roof of the mine chamber, core-'cuttinv mechanism extending from the forward ortion of said frame and associated. with t is said receiving edge to cut a column of material extending into such free and obstructed space and into said chute, and. means for operating said core-cutting mechanism including rectilinearmovement of said supporting frame and the movement of said receiving edge under the cut material to cause the latter to extend along said chute.

27. In a minin machine, the combination with a chain ker cutter, a support for holding said kerf cutter in position for ermitting said support to be moved into t e kerf formed b said kerf cutter and'extend along such ker back of the kerf cutter, a curved deflecting chute comprising spaced-apart curved walls one being an upright guard plate mounted on said support and extending from one side thereof toward the other side thereof transversely of the path ofv travel of said kerf cutter and of said support, and achain kerf cutter supported by said guard plate in position to cut a kerf in a plane offset inwardly from the face of the mine wall.

28. In combination, a mining machine having a base member, a cutter for forming a kerf in-which said base member may be moved, a guard plate carried by said base member, a cutter chain supported by said guard plate in position to form a kerf off-- set inwardly from the face of a mine wall, and means for operating said cutter chain located in position to be protected. by-said guard plate.

29. In a mining machine, means for forming a plurality of kerfs extending inwardly from the face of a mine wall, means for forming a kerf spaced inwardly from said mine wall connecting said first mentioned kerfs thus severing a section of material from said mine wall within the space bounded by said kerfs, and means for moving the material thus severed away from said mine wall to provide space for the operating mechanism of said last mentioned kerf forming means.

section of-material from said mine wall, I

operating mechanisms for said kerf cutters and means for moving the material thus severed away from its native position to provide space for the operating mechanism of said second mentioned chain cutter.

31. In a mining machine, a plurality of chain cutters arranged to form kerfs extending inwardly from the face of a mine wall, another chain cutter, means for supporting said last mentioned cutter in a position to form a kerf spaced inwardly from the face of said wall and intersecting the kerfs formed by said first mentioned cutters, operating means for. said last mentioned chaincutter, and a guard plate arranged to protect a portion of said cutter and said operating means and to direct material from the space bounded by said outters.

32. 'In a mining machine, a base plate, a chain cutter for forming a ker-f extending inwardly from the face of a mine wall and in which said base plate is movable, a second chain cutter carried by said base plate at the inner edge thereof in position to form a kerf spaced inwardly from the face of said mine wall to sever a section of material therefrom, a guard plate carried by said base plate and arranged to support said .cutter and to move the material severed thereby away from said mine wall, and operating means for said cutter andprotected by said ard plate from the material severed there 33. In combination, a mining machine frame, a pair of chain cutters extending laterally from said frame 11]. position to form kerfs extending inwardly from the face of a mine Wall, another chain cutter carried by said mining machine frame and arranged to form a kerf spaced inwardly from the face of said wall, operating means for said cutter, and a guard plate arranged to support said other cutter and to move the material severed thereby awa from said mine wall and out of theway 0 said operating means.

34. In a mining machine, the-combination llil ' mechanism mounted thereon, and a deflector late extendin rearward] and dia onall a .V a y andarcuately and being curved upwardly to form anoverhanging deflectingportion.

35. In a mining machine, an endless cutter chain, means for supporting said cutter chain in a position to form a kerf spaced inwardly from the face of amine wall, operating means for said cutter chain, and a late having 1ts forward end positioned elnn'd the forward run of said outter chain and in the cutting plane thereof.

and having its rear portion curved outwardly to direct the material severed by sald cutter chain away from said mine wall -to form clearance spacefor said operating mechanism.

cutter, and a deflector carried by said frame for moving the material severed by said outter to form clearance space for said motor.

and to guard the latter.

-37. In combination, a mining machine frame, an upright deflector carried by said frame, a chain cutter carried by said deflector and having its forward run positioned in front of the forward end of said deflector, and a motor carried by said frame and positioned behind therear portion of said de flector.

38. In combination, a mining machine frame, an upright deflector carried by said frame, an upright'chain cutter supported at the forward end of said frame, and an ad justable frame work for said cutter.

39. In combination, a mining machine frame, a chain cutter carried at the forward end of said frame and operating in an upright plane, a deflector carried by said frame and having its forward edge positioned in the rear of the forward run of said cutter and in the cutting plane thereof and having its rear portion curved away from the plane of said cutter to direct the material severed, and operating means for said cutter positioned in the clearance space provided behind said deflector.

40. In combination, a mining machine frame, a chain cutter carried by said frame in an upright position at one edge thereof, chain cutters extending across the forward portion of said frame, operating means for said chain cutters, and guard plates for di-.

reoting towards loading position the material severedby said chain cutters and for protecting said operating means from said material.

41. In combination, a mining machine frame, a cutter carried at one edge of said frame in position to form a kerf spaced inwardly form the face of a mine wall, cutters carried at the forward portion of said frame for forming kerfs extending inwardly from the face of said wall respectively to the u per and lower extremities of said in ward y spaced kerf, means for driving said last mentioned cutters, and a guard plate positioned for protecting said driving means :from the material severed by said cutters.

42. In combination, a miningv machine frame, a cutter positioned at one edge ,of

said frame for forming an upright kerf spaced inwardly'from the face of a mine wall, cutters positioned at the forward portion of said frame for forming kerfs extending inwardly from the face of said wall to said first mentioned jkerf, operating means for said first mentioned cutter, a deflector plate for moving the material severed by said cutter to form a clearance space for said. operating means, operating means 'for said second mentioned cutters, and a guard plate for protecting said last mentioned operating means from said material.

43. In a mining machine, the combination with a supportingframe, of transverse spaced-apart elongated chain kerf-cutters mounted on said frame in position to undercut and over-cut a section of material extending along the face of the mine vein,

each of said kerf-cutters comprising an elongated cutter frame rigidly connected to said supporting frame, and means for independently adjusting the distance of each of said cutters from the other cutter and thereby independently adjust the elevation of each of said'cutters.

44. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright chain kerf-cutter mounted at the inner edge of said frame in an upright plane in fixed relation to said frame to cut an upright kerf at the rear of a section of material extending along the face of the mine vein, spaced-apart chain 'kerf cutters each comprising a cutter frame rigidly connected to said supporting frame to prevent swinging thereof relatively to said supporting frame, means for operating said chain kerf-cutters to cut a kerf at the floor of the mine chamber and a kerf at the roof thereof and an upright kerf spaced backfrom the face of the mine wall, and means for adjusting the distance between the floor kerf-cutter and the roof kerf-cutter.

45. In a mining machine, the combination with a mining machine frame, of a guard plate, a pair of laterally projectin chain cutters adjustably mounted on sai guard plate, means for operating said outters, and means for supporting-said guard plate to protect said operating means from dislodged material.

46. In a mining machine, the combinationw h a mining machine frame, of an upright guard plate on said frame, laterally projecting arms mounted on said guard plate, chain cutters carried by said arms, means for operating'said chain cutters, and means for supporting said guard plate to protect said operating means against dislod ed material.

4 In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a cutter carried by said frame in position to form an upright kerf, additional spaced-apart kerfcutters carried by said frame in position to form spaced-apart kcrfs' in planes intersecting said upright kerf, each of said additional kerf-cutters comprising a cutter frame rigidly connected to said supporting frame to prevent swinging movement thereof relatively to said supporting frame, and means for independently adjusting the distance of each of said additional kerf-cutters from the other additional kerf-cutter.

.48. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a kerf cutter mounted thereon in position to cut an upright kerf, spaced-apart kerf cutters mounted on the forward portion of said frame in position to cutspaced-apart kerfs in planes intersecting the plane of said upright kerf approximately at the upper and lower limits of said upright kerf cutter, means for operating said spaced-apart kerf cutters and said upright kerf cutter including movement of said frame to secure feeding of all of said kerf cutters to form a core extending through the unobstructed core space between said spaced-apart kerf cutters in front of said upright kerf cutter, and spaced-apart guard plates in positionon said supporting frame to protect the said operating means against dislodged material and to form a chute for the passage of core material from said core space over said supporting frame.

49. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a transversely extending plane kerf-cutter comprising an elongated cutter frame, a bracket for carrying said cutter-frame. means on said supporting frame for slidably supporting said bracket for adjustment in elevation while holding said cutter frame from turning relatively to said bracket and from turning relatively to said supporting frame, means for sliding said bracket up and down to adjust the elevation of said kerf-cutter and means for operating said kerf-cutter at its various elevations including rectilinear movement of said supporting frame to secure rectilinear feeding movement of said kerf-cutter along a path extending transversely of said kerf-cutter.

50. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of upright slideways at the forward portion of said frame. spaced-apart elongated chain kerf-cutters each comprising an elongated cutter frame extending transversely of the forward portion of said supporting frame, a bracket connected rigidly to one of said cutter frames and guided along the upper slideway, an additional bracket rigidly connected to the other cutter frame and guided along the.

lower slideway, said brackets being connected to said slideways to guide said chain kerf-cutters to various elevations while being held in planes parallelto each other and while being confined against any swinging movement relatively to the supporting frame, means for adjusting saidbrackets to move the chain cutters towardand from one another while maintaining them in substantial parallelism, and means for operating said chain kerf-cutters in their various adjusted positions.

51. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting'frame comprising an up right guard plate provided with an upright slideway at its forward end, of laterally extending cutter frames connected to said slideway, chain cutters carried by said cut-- ter frames, means for operating said chain cutters at various positions of said cutter frames along said slideway, a motor for driving said operating means, and means for supporting said motor and said operating means on that side of said guard plate opposite the location of material cut by said chain cutters.

52. In combination, a mining machine frame, a guard plate carried by said frame, a v cutter chain supported on said guard plate, means for driving said cutter chain positioned adjacent said guard plate to be protected thereby, a second guard plate car ried on said mining machine frame and spaced from said first-named guard plate to form a chute, a second cutter chain mounted on said second guard plate, and means for driving said second cutter chain positioned adjacent said second guard plate to be protected thereby.

53. In combination, a mining machine frame, a guard plate having the forward end positioned adjacent one edge of said frame, a cutter chain having its forward run positioned adjacent the forward end of said guard late, a second guard plate carried by said mining machine frame, cutter chains positioned adjacent the forward end of said second guard plate and positioned in planes intersecting the plane of said first mentioned cutter chain, and means for operating said cutter chains arranged in positions relative to said guard plates to be pro-- tected thereby from the material severed by said cutter chains.

54. In combination, a mining machine frame, an upright cutter chain for severing a section of material from a mine wall along one side of said section, separate cutter chains for severing said material from the port-ions above and below said section, horizontally extending arms for supporting said last named cutter chains, means for adjusting said arms vertically, and adjustable means for driving said cutter arms at, the various positions of said arms.

55. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a chain kerfcutter mounted on said frame in position for cutting a kerf in an approximately horizontal plane, an aditional chain kerf-cutter mounted on said frame in position for cutting a kerf in an upright plane, said additional kerf-cutter havmg a run adjacent the inner end of the horizontal kerf-cutter, said horizontal kerf-cutter comprising a cutter frame having relatively movable sections, and means for adjusting said sections toward and from each other.

56. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright kerf cutter mounted on said frame to extend longitudinally thereof relative to the path of travel of said frame, an undercutting kerf cutter mounted on the forward end of said frame in position to extend transversely thereof to cut'an under kerf approximately meeting 'the lower edge of the upright kerf, and adjustable means for varying the length of the under cutting kerf cutter to adjust the proximity between the same and said upright kerf cutter.

57. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an up right plane-kerf cutter mountedthereon in position to cut an upright kerf, a horizontal kerf cutter mounted on said frame to extend transversely thereof to a position adj acent said upright kerf cutter in position to cut a horizontal kerf intersecting theupright kerf cut by said upright kerf cutter,

means for operating said kerf cutters to cut such intersecting kerfs, and adjusting mechanism to extend the horizontal kerf cutter to various positions to adjust the proximity of said horizontal kerf cutter to said upright kerf cutter.

58. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of an upright slideway carried by said frame, spaced-apart laterally extending horizontal kerf-cutters each comprising a cutter frame adjustable along said slideway, an upright kerf-cutter mounted on said frame to span the space between the inner ends of said spaced-apart kerf-cutters, means for driving said spaced-apart kerf-cutters at the various positions of their cutter frames along said upright slide-way, and means carried by the inner end portions of said spaced-apart kerf-cutters to adjust their lengths relatively to said upright kerf-c-utter to cause said spaced-apart kerf-cutter and said upright kerf-cutter to cut communicating kerfs.

59. In a mining machine, the combinationwith a supporting frame, of an upright guarding device mounted on said frame, an upright slideway at the forward end of said guarding device, spaced-apart chain kerf-cutters each comprising a sectional cutter frame, means for adjusting said cutter frames vertically along said slideway and for holding said cutter frames in adjusted positions, means for adjusting the relative positions of the sections of each chain kerf-cutter to-vary its length and its reach relatively to the inner e( go of said supporting frame, means for operating said chain cutters at the various positions of said cutter frame-s alon said slideway, a motor for driving said ciain cutter and operating means, and. means for supporting said motor and said operating means adjacent said arding device for protection against dislo ged material.

60. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a chaincutter comprising a cutter frame extending across one end of said frame and connected thereto so as to be confined against swinging movement during operation thereof ineluding feed, means for operating said under-cutting chain kerf-cutter to cut a kerf in advance of one end of said frame, said operating means comprising means for moving said'frame and chain-cutter rectilinearly along a path extending transversely of said chain kerf-cutter, and an upright guard mounted on said frame in position to protect said operating means against dislodged material by directing such dislodged material away from such operating means.

61. In a mining and loading machine, the combination with a conveyor comprising an elongated frame adapted to rest on the floor of a mine chamber parallel to a mine wall and spaced therefrom, said conveyor comprising a traveling element having superimposed portions traveling in opposite directions, of means for operating said conveyor, means for anchoring-the frame of said conveyor to hold such frame stationary, and means for dislodging material from the mine Wall and automatically directing it onto said conveyor while the frame of the latter remains anchored and acts as alateral abutment for the dislodging means during the travel of the latter along said conveyor.

62. In a mining and loading machine, the combination of an elongated traveling conveyor comprising an elongated conveyor frame, of means for anchoring said frame spaced a predetermined distance from a mine wall, and mechanism for cutting material from the mine wall and directing it 

